Menu

10 Ways to Save Energy in the Summer

July 15, 2021

When it comes to electricity, each of us has the power to help control our costs––we just have to make thoughtful choices to make energy savings pay off in dollars and cents. It’s been a hot summer so far. Here are 10 summer energy saving tips to help you take control of your high energy bills:

  1. Delay heat-producing chores, like running the dishwasher or doing laundry, until the evening hours.
  2. Run your thermostat at 78°F. Running your air conditioning at 78°F instead of 72°F can save between 6 and 18 percent on your cooling bill. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be, so set your thermostat as high as possible during the summer months.
  3. Game consoles, computers and big screen TVs left on, but unused, produce nearly as much heat as they do when in use. Turn them off to reduce unwanted indoor heat.
  4. Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day to keep the natural heat produced by the sun out – especially for east- and west-facing windows.
  5. Fire up the grill! Your oven or stove can raise your kitchen temperature 5 to 10 degrees.
  6. Use ceiling fans to make rooms feel a few degrees cooler. Don’t forget to turn them off when you leave a room though.
  7. Seal air leaks. Finding the places where outside air is leaking in, and conditioned air is leaking out, and sealing those leaks is a cost-effective way to improve air comfort and cut energy costs. Check your doors and windows for the effectiveness of air seals and caulk or weatherstrip as needed.
  8. Keep your vents clear. Your air conditioner can’t work efficiently if your vents are blocked by rugs or furniture. Check all of your vents to make sure they’re open, free of dust and directing air toward the center of the room.
  9. Upgrade to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can be controlled from anywhere with the tap of a smartphone, making it easy to warm things up a few degrees when you’re away from home. Many smart thermostats can even learn your heating and cooling habits and anticipate your home comfort needs to save you money.
  10. Inspect your home. On average, households lose about 20 percent of their heated and cooled air through the duct system to the outside. To avoid wasting energy, have your ducts inspected to ensure they’re sealed properly and insulated if necessary. Also get an annual A/C tune-up to keep your unit running in tip top shape. Learn more about our A/C tune-up rebate of $25 here.

 

Learn more energy saving tips in our 101 Book.

 

Remember, controlling energy costs will always work better with buy-in from everyone in the household.

  • News

    Leadership Message – March 2024

    Stearns Electric Association is a member-owned, democratically-controlled business. Because of this, the Cooperative is led by a Board of Directors made up…

  • News

    A Balanced Team for Reliability

    March 13, 2024
    The winningest basketball teams in history are ones that are consistent and have players with varying abilities. Some are better…

  • Events

    Innovative Energy Forum

     

    All Stearns Electric Association member-consumers are invited to join us at our first Innovative Energy Forum!

    Learn how electric vehicles and member-owned solar…

Close